MCCULLOCH CENTER FOR GLOBAL INITIATIVES STUDY IN MONTPELLIER 2019-20 Mount Holyoke College Program Montpellier, France Mount Holyoke College · 50 College Street · South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075 · 413-538-2072 · [email protected] Welcome to the Mount Holyoke College Program in Montpellier! We hope that studying in Montpellier will be as rewarding and exciting for you as it has been for so many other students since we began offering the program in 1998. This handbook will answer many of your questions about how to prepare for studying in Montpellier, and how to make the most of that opportunity. The handbook was written by Amy Loth, the On-Site Director of the program, with contributions provided in 2017 from Joanne Picard, Dean of International Studies at MHC, and two MHC students who recently participated in the program, Hannah Wescott and Rebecca Pittel. We have made every effort to ensure that information included here is accurate at the time of writing, but please note that information is subject to change. We recommend that you verify information directly with other entities as needed (banks, airlines, shops, etc.). This handbook focuses primarily on the MHC program in Montpellier, and we strongly recommend that you read it in conjunction with additional resources that address more generally a wide range of issues and considerations relevant to study abroad no matter the location: On the McCulloch Center Study Abroad website (mtholyoke.edu/global/study abroad) • Diversity & Identity • Health & Safety Abroad • Pre-departure • Returning to MHC On the McCulloch Center study abroad Moodle site (log in to Moodle, scroll down to Miscellaneous, select Study Abroad, and click to self-enroll) • Additional resources on Diversity & Identity and Health & Safety • Practical tips (checklist, financial planning, packing, staying connected, and more) • Culture Shock and Adaptation • Returning home (including how to connect your experience abroad to the campus, community, and career plans) You are welcome to be in touch with Amy Loth and April Stroud as you plan for study abroad, and throughout your stay in Montpellier; see contact information on the next page. We look forward to your joining the program! Amy Loth, On-Site Director April Stroud, Director of Study Abroad Contact Information Mount Holyoke Program in Montpellier Programme d’études Mount Holyoke College 11 rue Sainte Croix 34000 Montpellier FRANCE Amy Loth, Director Telephone: 011 33 6 62 45 30 60 (from USA) or 06 62 45 30 60 (from France) Sealia Thevenau, Associate Director Telephone: 011 33 6 58 09 88 25 (from USA) or 06 58 09 88 25 (from France) Please remember that there is a +6 EST time difference (6:00pm EST = midnight in France). For emergencies, please leave a detailed message if you get voice mail; Amy or Sealia will call you back straight away. E-mail: [email protected] McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives Mount Holyoke College 50 College Street South Hadley, MA 01075 USA April Stroud, Director of Study Abroad Tel: (413) 538-2072 Fax: (413) 538-3385 e-mail: [email protected] In an emergency outside of office hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), students should call Campus Police (413-538-2304). 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Predeparture Planning and Resources p. 4 • Checklist • Packing • Weather • Travel, Arrival, Orientation Housing in Montpellier p. 15 • Homestay Living • Apartment Living Academic Matters p. 22 • Université Paul Valéry (UPV) • Studying at Other Campuses in Montpellier • Academic Culture Money Matters p. 35 Staying Safe in Montpellier p. 39 Staying Healthy in Montpellier p. 44 Practical Information for Living in Montpellier p. 51 Culture Shock and Adaptation p. 62 French Society p. 65 Maps (Montpellier region, UPV, tramway) p. 67 3 PREDEPARTURE PLANNING AND RESOURCES Study abroad is rewarding, exciting, and fun. The cultural differences and the people you encounter can enrich your life by prompting you to develop a different outlook, new approaches to solving problems, and new ways of living in the world. Coping with these differences can also be stressful and challenging at times. You can minimize the stress and get the maximum benefit from your experience by being prepared. No single handbook could be an exhaustive introduction to living in France, and we encourage you to seek out other resources, including former students. This is also a good moment to consider your goals for study abroad, and strategies for meeting them. Think of your semester or year abroad as part of a continuum with your overall academic program, AMY SAYS and consider these questions: • How does your semester or year in France relate to your major/minor/other academic interests and goals? I highly recommend the • What do you most want to achieve? Increased proficiency following books before in French? A new perspective on yourself and your place in you leave for France: the world? An in-depth view of your major or an issue of • Study Abroad 101 – interest to you? Enhanced skills for future employment? Wendy Williamson • How can you best accomplish these goals? (For example, if • Culture Shock: France language proficiency is high on your list, consider joining a Sally Adamson Taylor language exchange, or pledging to find opportunities to – speak French with local residents for an hour every day.) • French or Foe – Polly • How can you best bring these experiences back to your Platt home institution? (For example, by developing an • Cultural independent study or thesis that draws on your work in Misunderstandings – France, or articulating how the skills and perspectives you Raymonde Carroll will enhance while abroad—such as adaptability, initiative, the ability to work with others from different cultural backgrounds, a more nuanced view of the world—are valuable to an employer even if the work you pursue does not relate directly to France.) Once you identify your goals and priorities, you will be better able to plan how to structure your experience abroad to help you meet them. 4 CHECKLIST FOR PREDEPARTURE PLANNING Fall/Year Students Spring Students Obtain/renew passport as needed April July/August Begin visa application process by registering on- April/May August/September line with Campus France and scheduling your visa appointment (see additional instructions from the McCulloch Center) Send scan of photo page of your passport and June October course “wish list” to Amy Loth Consult with bank about the best way to access July October funds while abroad. Purchase about $100 worth of euros to have with you upon arrival. Read at least one or two books from reading list July October on French culture Send scan of student visa to Amy Loth as soon as July/August November/December you receive it Have medical, dental, and eye exams; obtain July/August November/December copy of vaccination record to bring with you Plan how and what you will pack. Remember August December essential items for your carry-on luggage (passport with French visa; ATM card, credit card, euros; student ID; vital medicines Depart for Montpellier! Late August/early Early January September 5 Packing Rule of thumb: Pack everything you think you need, then take out half! Luggage: Most airlines allow you to check one piece of luggage. The average maximum size (length x width x height) per piece of luggage is 62 inches. The maximum weight per piece of luggage is normally 50 pounds. This is to be confirmed when tickets are issued by the airline. You can also bring one little carry-on piece of luggage which can either be held in the overhead storage compartment on the plane or stowed under your seat (e.g. a small backpack). You may store only a coat over your seat. DO NOT burden yourself with more items (or items that are too heavy) AMY SAYS than you can easily carry alone. You and you alone will be responsible for carrying your luggage, and I personally recommend if you are overburdened, you will be miserable. Remember that you that you use one will have to carry your luggage around airports and train stations, manageable (not too large) up and down flights of stairs, on and off subways, etc. European wheeled suitcase or one trains do not wait long at stops and you must be able to get your combo-wheeled suitcase as luggage off the train in a hurry (while everyone else is trying to do your checked luggage item, plus a small shoulder bag or the same). backpack with a zipper as Lightweight backpacks and suitcases with extendable handles and your carry-on. The smaller wheels that roll well (i.e. they don’t tip over going around corners or bag will be useful for short on curbs – try them out in the store) are the best solutions for making trips you make later. your travel more comfortable. Note: Some students may As you plan and pack, keep these things in mind: be housed on the high floors, and sometimes • Organize your luggage so that you have everything you need elevators are out of order. for the first few days in one bag that will be easy to access Previous students really during your orientation stay in Montpellier. Valuables, regretted having brought medication or other items which you need each day should too much unnecessary be packed in your carry-on bag. Your passport and traveler’s luggage with them. And checks or credit cards should be in your carry-on bag or on they asked me to tell you your person. Never ever leave this bag unattended in any that they didn’t even wear some of the clothes they crowded public place. This includes airports in the U.S. and brought with them because in France, on the bus, or on the street during your arrival they bought clothes in and departure.